Toothbrush

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a toothbrush having a bristle support head having a plurality of bristles densely implanted thereon and a brushing surface formed by ends of the bristles. The contact area between the bristle support head and teeth can be increased by virtue of the brushing surface. Reciprocal motion of the bristle support head maintains contact between the bristles and teeth so removes contaminants from inter-tooth spaces effectively and with improved efficiency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toothbrush, and more particularly toa toothbrush increasing contact area between the toothbrush and teethfor improved brushing efficiency.

2. Description of Related Art

With reference to FIG. 4, an existing toothbrush has a support head (90)having a mounting surface (91) formed thereon. A plurality of bristleholes (92) are formed on the mounting surface (91). Multiple tufts ofbristles (93) are mounted respectively in the bristle holes separated bya gap.

Since the tufts of bristles are spread over the mounting surface (91) ofthe support head (90), the gap is formed between the tufts. Hence,contact area between the bristles (93) and teeth is reduced and reducesbrushing efficacy. As such, an improved toothbrush is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a toothbrushincreasing contact area of between bristles of the toothbrush and teethfor improved brushing efficiency.

A toothbrush has a bristle support head and a bristle cluster. Thebristle support head has a bristle surface with a bristle socket formedthereon. The bristle cluster mainly has a plurality of bristles and abrushing surface. The bristles are densely implanted on a surface of afastening flange. The brushing surface is formed by ends of the bristlesfitted in the bristle socket of the bristle support head.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the preferred embodiment inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment inaccordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a bristle support head in accordancewith a conventional toothbrush.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention is atoothbrush having a bristle support head (10) and a bristle cluster(20).

The bristle support head (10) has a bristle surface (11). A bristlesocket (12) is formed on the bristle surface (11) and has a wall. Afastening portion (13) is formed on an outer rim of the wall of thebristle socket (12) and may be an inwardly projecting ridge.

With reference to FIG. 3, the bristle cluster (20) has a fasteningflange (21) and multiple bristles (22). The fastening flange (21)corresponds to and is mounted in the bristle socket (12) and may engagethe fastening portion (13). The bristles are densely attached securelyto the fastening flange (21), may be densely formed in the fasteningflange (21) by injection molding and each bristle has an end adapted forcleaning teeth. The ends of the multiple bristles align to form abrushing surface (23). The brushing surface (23) may undulate with awavelength equivalent to an average tooth width to aid cleaning betweenteeth. Since average tooth width changes with age and genetic makeup,brushing surfaces of different wavelengths may be commerciallyavailable.

Given the aforementioned structure, the fastening flange (21) inside thebristle socket (12) can endure and distribute shear forces generatedbetween the bristles (22) and the bristle support head (10) so that thebristles (22) are firmly mounted on the fastening flange (21). Thedesign of the fastening portion (13) on the bristle socket (12) canfurther prevent the fastening flange (21) from detachment from thebristle socket (12), ensuring that the fastening flange (21) is steadilymounted in the bristle socket (12). Doing so can prevents the fasteningflange (21) and bristles (22) disengaging during use.

When the bristle support head (10) is used to clean molars, the contactarea between the bristles (22) and the teeth can be augmented due to thebrushing surface (23) constituting the ends of all the bristles (22)densely implanted in the fastening flange (21). Especially, reciprocalmotion of the bristles (22) on the bristle support head (10) maintaincontact with the teeth and remove contaminants from inter-tooth spaces,the contaminants may be food debris, sugars, plaque, tartar or the like.Therefore, a cleaning effect of the toothbrush is improved to maintainoral hygiene under an economical use of time and effort.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the presentinvention have been set forth in the foregoing description, togetherwith details of the structure and features of the invention, thedisclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details,especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts withinthe principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by thebroad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims areexpressed.

1. A toothbrush, comprising: a bristle support head having a bristlesurface with a bristle socket formed thereon; and a bristle clusterhaving a plurality of bristles densely implanted on a fastening flangeand a brushing surface formed by ends of the bristles, and securelyembedded in the bristle socket of the bristle support head.
 2. Thetoothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fastening portion is formedon an outer edge of a wall of the bristle socket by an inwardlyprotruding ridge.
 3. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein thebrushing surface undulates by a wavelength corresponding to an averagewidth of teeth.
 4. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 2, wherein thebrushing surface undulates by a wavelength corresponding to an averagewidth of teeth.
 5. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein thebristle cluster is embedded in the bristle socket of the bristle supporthead by injection molding.